Usage:
Used as a non-systemic insecticide, acaricide and rodenticide for grain.

Origin/derivation:
Endrin is produced as a side product of hexachlorocyclopentadiene and vinyl chloride with
cyclopentadiene. Endrin also forms when isodrin is epoxidised with peracetic acid and
perbenzoic acid. The degradation of dieldrin in the environment produces endrin (refer
also to 'dieldrin' information sheet).

Toxicity

Mammals:

Rat:

LD50 7-43 mg/kg, oral

acc. MERCIER, 1981

LD50 15 mg/kg, dermal

acc. UBA, 1986

Mouse:

LD50 1,370 µg/kg, oral

acc. UBA, 1986

LD50 2,300 µg/kg, intravenous

acc. UBA, 1986

TDLo 11 mg/kg, oral, 7.-17. d of pregnancy

acc. UBA, 1986

Monkey:

LD50 3 mg/kg, oral

acc. MERCIER, 1981

Rabbit:

LD50 60 mg/kg, dermal

acc. UBA, 1986

Guinea pig:

LD50 16 mg/kg, oral

acc. UBA, 1986

Pig:

LD50 5,600 µg/kg, oral

acc. UBA, 1986

LD50 1,500 µg/kg, intravenous

acc. UBA, 1986

Aquatic organisms:

Carp:

TL 0.005 ppm (48h)

acc. UBA, 1986

Fish:

0.013-0.004 mg/l

acc. UBA, 1986

Organisms on which fish feed:

0.1 mg/l

acc. UBA, 1986

Characteristic effects:

Humans/mammals: As a central spasmodic agent, endrin is highly toxic in humans.
Skin resorption is possible. Characteristic symptoms are already encountered following the
intake of 1 mg/kg (UBA, 1986). 5 - 50 mg/kg are toxic and more than 6 g are
lethal (MERCIER, 1981). Excretion via the kidneys and intestines is very slow (risk of
accumulation). There is also damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
Chlorine dioxide poisoning is often encountered due to metabolisation in the body.

ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR

Water:
Endrin is virtually insoluble in water and sinks to the bottom. However, its
commercial products mix or disperse in water to form toxic, milky 'broths'. Endrin is also
sensitive to strong acids. It therefore has a highly toxic effect particularly on fish and
the organisms on which they feed and may harm all types of water. In Germany it is listed
in class 3 of the catalogue of substances hazardous to water (highly hazardous).
(Refer also to 'dieldrin')

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Medium/ acceptor

Sector

Country/ organ.

Status

Value

Cat.

Remarks

Source

Water:

Drinkw

USA

L

0.0002 mg/l

MCL

Long-time value

acc. SCHROEDER, 1985

Drinkw

USA

G

0.0005 mg/l

In State of Illinois

acc. WAITE, 1984

Waste water

EC

L

5 mg/l

Seawater

acc. LEROY, 1985

Waste water

EC

L

5 mg/l

Freshwater

acc. LEROY, 1985

Air:

Workp

D

L

0.1 mg/m3

MAK

DFG, 1989

Workp

USA

(L)

0.1 mg/m3

TWA

ACGIH, 1986

Foodstuffs:

0.2 ng/kg/d

ADI

acc. MERCIER, 1981

Note:
There has been a complete ban on the use of endrin in the Federal Republic of Germany
since 1988.